Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) is the most important
holiday in Vietnam.
Traditionally, Vietnamese people used lunar calendar to identify when the first day of a new year was. The lunar calendar differs from the solar calendar in some aspects. As for the solar
calendar, there are 12 months and 365 days in a year and usually 28 days in
February; every four years is there a year with 29 days in
February. However, in the lunar calendar, there are usually 354 – 355 days in a
year, and every three years is there a year with 13 months. Therefore, Tet
holiday takes place at different time each year, but mostly in the end of
January and the beginning of February.
In Vietnam, children are looking forward to Tet holiday
most, because they will receive red envelopes of lì xì. The word “lì xì” is considered
to originate from neighboring China with the similar pronunciation of “li shi”
in Chinese, which means an object or a sum of money to give good luck and fortune
for beloved ones.
No one knows exactly when “lì xì” custom started. It was commonly said
that the red envelopes with coins inside were put under the pillows of children
to ward off evil spirits. The children who received the red envelopes would
have a peaceful and happy year.
Rectangle – shaped envelopes of lì xì should be in red
color because red represents luck and happiness. On the envelope are there
Chinese characters, colorful images, and sometimes Chinese or Vietnamese parallel
couplets celebrating a happy new year. To express respect to recipients, the
whole red envelopes must be neat and the money inside is perfectly new.
Red envelopes are
given out by older generations to younger ones, by married couples to single
people, or by employed people to unemployed ones.
In China, the amount of lucky money usually ends with an
even digit, because odd digit is regarded to be associated with funerals in
traditional Chinese beliefs. Moreover, the number four of any kind must be
avoided, for the pronunciation of the words four and to die are homophones. In
contrast, the number eight is preferable for it is believed to bring good luck
and fortune to recipients.
In Vietnam, “lì xì” custom has another name of “mừng tuổi”
which means to welcome a new age. The envelopes are sealed so that the recipients
cannot know what is inside. Lucky money is usually given by the elders and
adults to the younger generation in exchange for greetings or offerings for
health, longevity and prosperity.
Common greetings include:
Sống lâu trăm tuổi: wish
for longevity
An khang thịnh vượng: wish for health and prosperity
Vạn sự như ý: wish for everything to go as expected
Sức khỏe dồi dào: wish for good health
Làm ăn phát tài: wish for your business to become successful
If you find it hard to imagine what Tet holiday looks like, watch this MV to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Tet holiday in Vietnam! ;)
Writer: Darling
Translator: Tuan Nguyen
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